Cam for carton handling machine



March 31, 1964 R. A. ROSER ETAL CAM FOR CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed Dec.

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CAM FOR CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed Dec. 14, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIE. 5 a 1' 9; I0! 1 1/0 I 87 85 l A l 10 I as 26 I ///L I 33 r H 5 36 I! I 0 I 38 ms 6] mo 36 Rosa-'27- 4. Ros-5k BY P40; L. flA/DERSOIJ United States Patent ()fiice 3,lZ7,Z7 Patented Mar. 31, 1964- 3,127,027 CAM FOR (IARTQN HANDLENG MACHINE Robert A. Roser, Hopkins, and Paul L. Anderson, Minneapolis, Minn, assignors to Thiele Engineering Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Dec. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 244,646 10 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) The present invention has relation to carton handling machinery and more particularly to a cam for use with a carton handling device utilized to move folded carton blanks from a storage rack to position wherein they will be set up.

In setting up carton blanks it has been found to be necessary to move individual carton blanks from a storage rack, rotate them approximately 90 degrees and also move them to a remote location. In order to do this in a continuous operation, various devices have been advanced. The devices are usually cam actuated. As the cam movement is complex the structures previously advanced have utilized springs and other aids to obtain proper function. Also, because a complex framework is involved, two matched cams, one on each side of the framework were necessary.

The cam made according to the present invention utilizes two parts which cooperate to give the desired amount of rotation and also transfer the carton blank to the desired location. The cam is operated without use of springs in a positive mechanical action.

With the device of the present invention, only one cam is necessary for the carton blank handling structure, thus eliminating much expensive machining and simplifying the device considerably. The cam is rugged, easy to manufacture, and does not rely on spring forces in any manner.

It is an object of the present invention to present a cam for operating carton blank handling equipment.

It is a further object of the present invention to present a cam which will actuate mechanism to move carton blanks from a stored position to a working position wherein the plane of the blank is rotated from its stored position.

It is a further object of the present invention to present a cam for carton processing machines which gives rotation and translation and which operates without the use of springs.

Other and further objects are those inherent in the invention herein illustrated, described, and claimed, and will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated by reference to the drawings in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of a carton blank handling machine having a cam made according to the present invention installed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a cam device in FIG. 1 after the cam follower has started a work stroke;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 2 as the cam follower is further moved;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton blank handling machine of FIG. 3 shown in carton delivering position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG.

1 as taken from the left side thereof and showing mechanism for operating the carton blank handling machine; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of a second form of a cam made according to the present invention corresponding in position to that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 6 shown after the cam follower has traveled part of the way on its work stroke;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the device of FIG. 7 after the cam follower has traveled further in its work stroke; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 8 after it has moved further toward the blank delivering position.

Referring to the drawings and the numerals of reference thereon, a carton blank handling machine illustrated generally at 15 includes a chute 16 for holding a plurality of flat carton blanks 17. The chute I6 is supported from a main frame assembly 18 comprising two side members or plates 19 and 2t respectively, and supported on upright support rods 21 and 22 which are attached to the side members. The chute 16 is adjustably supported with blocks 23 so that the chute can be vertically slid along the support rods. In addition, braces 24 are utilized to transfer the load from the outer end portions of the chute into a cross rod 25 forming part of the main frame and extending between side members 19 and 20.

A guide rod 29 is positioned at the rear end of a chute and helps to support the carton blanks l7 upright and yet permits removal of the blanks from the chute.

A main cross shaft 3% is rotatably mounted between side plates 19 and 20 in suitable bearings 31. The main cross shaft 30 has two drive arms 32, 32 mounted thereon and extending upwardly therefrom. An auxiliary or second cross shaft 33 is rotatably mounted between the arms 32, 32. at an end thereof opposite from main cross shaft 30. Auxiliary cross shaft 33 has a plurality of vacuum conduit support arms or levers 34 adjustable clamped thereon. The support arms 34 have elongated slots 35 therein. A separate rigid vacuum conduit 36 is adjustably mounted in each of the support arms 34 through its respective slot 35 and is clamped thereto with suitable threadable means 37. Each of the rigid conduits 36 has a suction cup 38 at an outer end thereof. Also, a separate flexible conduit 4]; is attached to each of the rigid conduits 36 and these lead to a vacuum manifold 42 which is mounted on a lever 43 that in turn is mounted to auxiliary shaft 33.

A supply vacuum carrying conduit 44- is open to manifold 42 and is supported on an ear 45 which is fixed to frame side member 2G. The main supply conduit 44 leads to a suitable source of vacuum pressure (not shown).

Auxiliary cross shaft 33 has a cam actuator lever 46 driv-ably mounted thereon outside of one of the arms 32. The cam actuator lever 46 has a main cam follower roller 47, which is rotatably mounted as 'at 48 to an intermediate portion of the lever 46. In addition, an auxiliary cam follower roller 51 is rotatably mounted as at 52 to an outer end of the lever 46.

A cam block assembly 53 is mounted onto the inner surface of frame member 19 and has a main cam track 54 defined therein. The main cam track 54 is adapted to receive the main follower roller 47. However, auxiliary roller 51 is not mounted in the main cam track 54 and is free to move with respect to the cam plate or block 53.

An auxiliary cam block 56 having a provided receptacle 55 defined by an edge surface positioned at right angles to the plane of the cam block is mounted on cam plate or block 53 and is positioned spaced from the cam track 54. As will be further explained later the auxiliary cam receptacle is adapted to receive the auxiliary roller 51 when the cam lever 46 is moved to proper position.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5, it can be seen that an actuating lever 58 is drivably mounted to main shaft 38. A connecting rod 59 is pivotally mounted as at as to an outer end of lever 58 and is also pivotally mounted as at 61 to a crank arm 62. The crank arm 62 is drivably mounted to an output shaft 63 of an electric motor 64. The electric motor 64 is powered through suitable power means and as the motor shaft 63 rotates the crank arm 62 also rotates and causes the connecting rod 59 to move up and down. This in turn causes lever 58 to move up and down about the axis of shaft 38 in direction as indicated by double arrow 65. The lever 58 drives shaft 30 and this in turn moves arms 32 between positions shown in dotted lines at 65 and in dotted lines at 67 in FIG. 5. Dotted line position 66 corresponds to the solid line position 68 of lever 32 in FIG. 1 and the dotted line position 67 corresponds to the solid line position 69 of lever 32 in FIG. 4.

The action of the cam is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, as the arms 32 move between their two extreme positions. As can be seen in FIG. 1, with the arms 32 in their up position illustrated at 68 the suction cups 38 on the end of conduits 36 are against the end carton blank 17 in the chute 16. The vacuum acting through conduits 36 holds the carton blank tightly against the cups 38. As the arms 32 move to position as shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the main cam follower roller 47 follows the configuration of cam track 54 and as the arms move, the cups 38 pull one of the blanks 17 out of the chute 16. The roller leads a plane defined by the axis of shafts 30 and 33 in direction of movement. The cam 54 has a straight portion illustrated generally at 73. When the main roller 47 moves along this portion the auxiliary roller 51 moves in direction to enter the auxiliary cam. receptacle 55. As the lever 58 continues to move the arms 32 also continue to move in direction as indicated by arrow 74. The main cam follower roller then moves over a curved portion 75 of the cam track 54 and the auxiliary roller 51 enters the auxiliary receptacle 55. This causes the cam lever 46 to pivot about the axis of roller 51 as the pivotal axis of roller 47 approaches the plane defined by the axes of shafts 30 and 33. The axis of roller 47 passes through this plane or goes over center as the arms continue to move. Without the positive holding action of receptacle 55 on roller 51, the roller 47 could follow the track 54 without passing through the plane defined by the axes of shafts 30 and 33.

The holding action of receptacle 55 in turn causes the shaft 33 to rotate in direction as indicated by arrow 76 and the cups 38 move so that the plane defined by the edges thereof (or the flat blank held by the cups) moves toward a horizontal position.

As the arms 32 continue to move in direction as indicated by arrow 74- the auxiliary cam roller 51 moves out of the auxiliary receptacle 55 and the main cam roller 47 moves down along the lower portion 77 of the cam track 54. The main cam roller 47 is now trailing the plane defined by the axes of shafts 30 and 33. As can be seen in FIG. 3 the cups 38 move so that the blank carried thereby is moving toward horizontal position. As can be seen in FIG. 4 when the arms 32 are in their lowered posit-ion 69 the blank has been moved to the location desired and will be picked up by suitable mechanism for further processing. A rotary vacuum manifold 78 is mounted on shaft 36 and controls flow of vacuum through main conduit when shaft 31? is moved so arms 32 are in their lowest position the vacuum is shut off and cups 38 no longer hold the blank. The blank is released where desired.

When the arms move in direction opposite from that indicated by arrow 'F i the movement of the cam and lever is reversed. The roller 47 will again be leading the shaft 33 (and the plane defined by the axes of shafts 30 and 33) in direction of movement. The cam roller 51 will enter receptacle 55 and will cause the main cam roller to again pass through the plane defined by the axes of shafts 30 and 33, or in other words go over center with respect to the shafts 33 and 30, in opposite direction. This will cause the shaft 33 to rotate, thereby returning the cups 38 positively to their starting position against the stack of blanks 17 in chute 16.

The action of the cam is positive and there is no tendency for the main cam roller to follow the cam without the over center action. The auxiliary receptacle 55, which controls the auxiliary roller 51 causes this positive over center action and eliminates the springs previously needed in this type of device. Also the action of the cam is smooth, not affected by inertia and does not cause eccentric loads on the mechanism or twisting between the arms 32, 32. Therefore, only one cam block 53 is necessary, eliminating costs and expensive assembly operations. Also, the cam is well adapted for high speed operations.

In FIGS. 6 through 8, a cam made according to a second form of the present invention is illustrated. All of the structure is exactly the same except that the cam block and follower are different. The over center action between the main cam roller and the shafts 33 and 30 is positively accomplished with a different mechanism. As can be seen, the shaft 33 is rotatably mounted in arms 32 as in the first form of the invention. However, a modified lever is utilized in place of the lever 46. A cam block 36 is also different from the cam block 53 in this form of the invention. The lever 85 is drivably mounted to the shaft 33 and has a main lobe 87 on which a main cam roller 88 is rotatably mounted, as at 89. The main cam roller follows a main cam track 90 defined in cam block 86. A pair of auxiliary lobes 91 and 92 respectively are integral with the lever 85. The auxiliary lobes 91 and 92 have auxiliary rollers 93 and 94 rotatably mounted thereon as at 95 and 96, respectively. A line drawn between the axes of rollers 93 and 94 is perpendicular to a line drawn between the axes of shaft 33 and roller 88.

The arms 32' in this form of the invention are driven in direction as indicated by arrow 100, by a crank arm, as in the first form of the invention. The shaft 33 also supports vacuum tube support arms 34 which have rigid conduits 36 and cups 38 mounted thereon for receiving blanks 17. The arms 32 and shaft 30 are driven as in the first form of the invention.

As the arm 32 move in direction as indicated by arrow 10% the main cam roller leads the plane defined by the axis of shafts 30 and 33. When the arms have moved to position as shown in FIG. 7 auxiliary roller 93 will start to contact an edge surface 101 of an auxiliary cam block 102 which is raised from the surface of main cam block 86. The edge surface 101 is engaged by roller 93 and this in turn causes shaft 33 to rotate in direction as indicated by arrow 103. As the arms 32 continue to move in direction as indicated by arrow 10%) the main roller 88 is moved into a pocket 104 as shown in FIG. 8. The axis of the main cam roller 88 passes through the plane defined by the axes of shafts 30 and 33. As the arm 32 moves further the second auxiliary roller 94 contacts an edge surface of the auxiliary block 102 and the roller 88 is pulled through a curved portion 186 of the cam track 90. The roller 88 is then trailing the plane defined by the axes of shafts 38 and 33. As can be seen in FIG. 9 the arms will then move to position holding the blank 17 in horizontal position and will place it in its desired location for further processing.

0n the return stroke the arms 32 will move upwardly, the roller 88 is again leading the plane defined by the shaft axes and roller 94, will contact edge surface 185 of auxiliary block 102. This will force the lever 85 to go over center or again pass through the plane of the shaft axes when the pivots of shafts 33 and 30 and roller 88 become aligned. As the arm 32 continues to move upwardly the roller 83 will follow track 90 along the upper portion 110 of the cam and will again be trailing the plane.

Thus the cam is controlled by the auxiliary rollers 93 and 94. The lever 85 is forced to go over center when the axes of roller 88 and shafts 33 and 36 are aligned during movement of arm 32. in either direction. When the arms are moving in direction as indicated by arrow 100 this is caused by roller 93 acting on edge surface 101 and when the arms are moving upwardly the over center action or tripping action is caused by the roller 94 acting on edge surface 105.

Thus it can be seen that both of cam follower levers of both forms of the invention have auxiliary cam means for positively forcing the main cam lever over center when the pivot of the main cam roller, the pivot of the cam lever, and the pivot of a moving arm 32 go into a straight line. This over center action control is positive, efiicient and operates smoothly at high speeds. For example, the machine of the present invention utilizing cams as shown can opearte in the range of 90 to 120 cycles per minute without damage or excessive acceleration forces on the mechanism. The unit will operate for arm rotation up to 108 degrees. The over center action of the mechanism gives the necessary rotation of the carton blanks and the arm movement provides translation or horizontal movement.

Use of only one cam block reduces the costs of the unit considerably and elimination of springs formerly necessary to get the over center action also reduces cost and eliminates whipping caused by inertia in the spring and other inertia forces.

The cam action illustrated herein can be adapted to many different mechanisms for use in moving objects, such as carton blanks, from one position to another and rotating them during the moving process. The setting up of carton blanks in particular is greatly aided by this mechanism.

As many widely apparently diiferent embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the specific embodiments herein.

What is claimed is:

l. A carton handling mechanism including:

a main frame,

a main cam block mounted on said frame, said main cam block being provided with a main cam track,

an actuator arm pivotally mounted on said main frame about an axis extending at right angles to the plane of said cam block, said actuator arm being movable back and forth between first and second positions,

means pivotally mounted on an outer end of said arm for receiving and holding a carton,

a cam lever mounted to control pivotal movement of said carton holding means,

a main cam roller rotatably mounted on said cam lever and adapted to move along said cam track upon movement of said arm between said first and second positions,

means to pivot said arm about its axis between said first and second position, and

cooperating auxiliary cam means on said main cam block and said lever,

said main cam roller and main cam track being arranged so that said cam lever pivots about its axis as said arm moves so that the axis of said main cam roller passes through a reference plane defined by the axes of said lever and said arm as said arm moves back and forth between said first and second positions, said auxiliary cam means being positioned to control the angular direction of pivoting of said lever as the axis of said main cam roller approaches said reference plane, said main cam roller axis leading said reference plane in direction of movement of said 6 arm before said main cam roller axis passes through said plane and trailing said reference plane after said main cam roller axis passes through said reference plane until movement of said arm is reversed in direction.

2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving and holding a carton includes a shaft pivotally mounted with respect to an outer end of said arm about an axis substantially parallel to the pivotal axis of said arm, said cam lever being drivably mounted on said shaft.

3. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary cam means is comprised as an auxiliary cam block having an edge surface extending at substantially right angles to the plane of said main cam block and an auxiliary cam roller rotatably mounted on said lever, said roller being adapted to engage said cam edge surface to control pivoting of said lever as said main cam roller approaches said plane during movement of said arm.

4. The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said arm pivots through an are less than degrees as it moves between said first and second positions.

5. A carton handling mechanism including:

a main frame comprising two separate spaced parallel side plates,

a main cam block mounted on one of said plates,

a first shaft rotatably mounted between said side plates adjacent a lower portion thereof about an axis positioned at substantially right angles to said side plates,

a pair of actuator arms drivably mounted on said first shaft, one arm adjacent each of said side plates,

means to pivot said actuator arms about the axis of said first shaft back and forth between first and second positions,

a second shaft pivotally mounted to said arms adjacent outer ends thereof,

a main cam block mounted to one of said side plates, said main cam block being provided with a main cam track defined therein,

means on said second shaft for receiving and holding a carton,

a can lever drivably mounted to said second shaft at an end thereof adjacent said main cam block,

a main cam roller rotatably mounted on said cam lever and adapted to move along said cam track upon movement of said arms between said first and second positions,

an auxiliary cam block mounted on said main cam block and having an edge surface raised from said main cam block, and

an auxiliary cam roller rotatably mounted on said lever about an axis spaced from said main cam roller,

said main cam track, said cam lever, and said arms being arranged so that the axis of said main cam roller passes through a reference plane defined by the axes of said shafts as said arm moves back and forth between said first and second positions, said auxiliary cam edge surface and said auxiliary cam roller being positioned to control pivoting of said lever as the axis of said main cam roller approaches said reference plane so that said main cam roller axis leads said reference plane in direction of movement of said arm before said cam roller axis passes through said reference plane and trails said reference plane after said cam roller axis passes through said plane, in either direction of movement of said arm.

6. The combination as specified in claim 5 wherein there are two auxiliary cam rollers rotatably mounted on said cam lever, a first of said rollers being positioned to engage said auxiliary cam block as said arms move from said first to said second position and a second of said rollers being positioned to engage said auxiliary cam block as said arms move from said second to said first position.

7. The combination as specified in claim 6 wherein said auxiliary cam rollers control movement of said cam lever only adjacent the position wherein said axis of said main cam roller passes through the plane defined by the axes of said shafts.

8. The combination as specified in claim 6 wherein said means on said second shaft for holding a carton includes a plurality of levers mounted on said shaft, a separate flexible cup on each of said levers, and conduits carrying vacuum pressure open to each of said cups.

9. The combination as specified in claim 5 wherein said auxiliary cam roller is rotatably mounted at an outer end of said lever about an axis lying in the plane passing through the axes of said main cam roller and said shaft, and said auxiliary cam block is provided with a receptacle for receiving said roller and retaining said auxiliary cam roller in position so that at a predetermined position of said arms between said first and second positions the axes of said auxiliary cam roller, said main cam roller, and said first and second shafts all lie along a common plane.

10. A carton handling mechanism including: a main frame, a main cam block mounted on said frame, said main cam block being provided with a main cam track,

an actuator arm pivotally mounted on said frame about an axis extending at right angles to the plane of said cam block, said actuator arm being movable back and forth between first and second positions in a plane parallel to and adjacent said block,

a shaft pivotally mounted to an outer end of said arm,

means on said shaft for receiving and holding a carton,

a cam lever drivably mounted to said shaft,

a main cam roller rotatably mounted on said lever and adapted to move along said cam track upon movement of said arm between said first and second positions,

an auxiliary cam block mounted on said main cam block and having an edge surface raised from said main cam block,

an auxiliary cam roller on said lever in position spaced from said main cam roller, and

means to reciprocate said arm about its axis between said first and second positions, the pivotal axes of said shaft, said arm, and said main cam roller being arranged so that said cam lever pivots about the axis of said shaft and the axis of said main cam roller passes through a plane defined by the axes of said shaft and said arm as said arm moves back and forth between said first and second positions, said auxiliary cam edge surface and said auxiliary cam roller being positioned to control pivoting of said lever as the axis of said main cam roller approaches said plane so that said main cam roller axis leads said plane in direction of movement of said arm before said main cam roller axis passes through said plane and trails said plane after said main cam roller axis passes through said plane in each direction of movement of said arm between said first and second positions.

No references cited. 

1. A CARTON HANDLING MECHANISM INCLUDING: A MAIN FRAME, A MAIN CAM BLOCK MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID MAIN CAM BLOCK BEING PROVIDED WITH A MAIN CAM TRACK, AN ACTUATOR ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID MAIN FRAME ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE PLANE OF SAID CAM BLOCK, SAID ACTUATOR ARM BEING MOVABLE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON AN OUTER END OF SAID ARM FOR RECEIVING AND HOLDING A CARTON, A CAM LEVER MOUNTED TO CONTROL PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID CARTON HOLDING MEANS, A MAIN CAM ROLLER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CAM LEVER AND ADAPTED TO MOVE ALONG SAID CAM TRACK UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID ARM BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, MEANS TO PIVOT SAID ARM ABOUT ITS AXIS BETWEEN SAID FIRT AND SECOND POSITION, AND COOPERATING AUXILIARY CAM MEANS ON SAID MAIN CAM BLOCK AND SAID LEVER, 